Report on Launching Ceremony at Jhenaidah Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development (READ) Implemented by: Jagorani Chakro Foundation (JCF) Supported by: Save the Children International Funded by: USAID
Objectives: Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development (READ) is a 4-year collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), technical supported by the Save the Children International (SCI) and implemented by the Jagorani Chakro Foundation (JCF) to improve early grade reading competences. Learning to read affects all aspects of children s education. It s a great challenge to implement the project at Government Primary school. So, communication, rapport building and synchronization are especially significant at all level of Education Department and Public Administration of GoB for the better implementation of the project. It is incredibly needed to orient the concerned stakeholders about the project activities and its process of implementation for the smoothly operation and the reaching the targeted outcomes for READ. In the abovementioned rationale Jagorani Chakra Foundation has arranged the launching ceremony of the READ project at the initial stage of the project on 22 nd February 2015 at Jhenaidah district. Reporting Date : 25.02.2015 Number of Participants : 83 Nature of Participants : Deputy Commissioner, Jhenaidah; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jhenaidah, UNO-Harinakunda, Kaligonj, Kotchandpur, DPEO, ADPEO, UEO, AUEO, Superintendent PTI, Instructor PTI, Instructor URC, Assistant Instructor URC, Media Personnel, NGO representatives, SCI Representatives and JCF READ Staffs. Venue : Conference Room for DC Office, Jhenaidah Duration : 22 nd February 2015.
Inauguration speech: After being familiar with each other, the entire guests are welcomed by Mr. Anisur Rahman, Project Coordinator-READ of Jagorani Chakra Foundation. He has also awarded warm greetings to all guests and narrates about the brief history of Jagorani Chakra Foundation, he seeks assistance of all stakeholders (GOs and NGOs) for the success of READ project. Key note presentation: Mr. Shahin Islam, Deputy Program Director Partnership Management of Save the Children International presented the key note paper on READ. He shared the Goals, Objectives, Components and logic of READ, Implementation stages and strategies, activity, collaboration with GO-NGOs, Working areas and number of schools, uniqueness of this project. He also showed the assessment tools and the working area and partners of this unique project through Power Point presentation 1. At the end of his presentation he invites all to join an open ended discussion session. Open discussion sessions: Mr.Shafiqul Islam, Honorable chef guest: He asked to know that what will be the capacity development process, who will be the participants of the training from READ project and what will be the criteria for selecting the school. Mr Sahin Islam has made reply of the above questions and told that READ Project is continuing in Magura and Jessore districts. Jhenaidah is new area for Year-2 (GPS) and total 155 schools has selected by Directorate of Primary Education (DPE). He has also said that Bangla class teacher that means who facilitates Bangla class in early grade will be the mail target group for Capacity Development of READ project and selection process will be completed with the discussion of respective authorities of DPE. This project will also provide different training to UEOs, AUEOs, Head Teachers and SMC members. Mr. Maminul Haque, ADPEO asked it is difficult for someone to talk fluently with right pronunciation in any meeting, conference or any other places but if we start it from early grade it would be helpful to us to talk with right pronunciation. He has also proposed that it would be more helpful to us if READ includes rest of the three Upazilas of Jhenaidah district under this project. District Primary Education Officer of Jhenaidah, Mr. Sibapado day: For leveling of the children capacity, who will do the survey. He has also provided suggestion that if third party completes the survey it will be more effective. Then he said that we know four basic competencies have in any language but READ project works on only reading; it is essential to work for other competencies. URC Instructor of Kortchandpu also taken part in this QA session with thanks.
Special Guest Mr. Md.Abu Touhid, Superintendent of PTI Jhenaidha: He has said different types of training we are providing but we have to focus on its implementation. So, selection process should be more realistic and find out actual bangle teachers. So you will ensure that teacher who is conduct the early grade Bangla class discusses with head teachers and AUEO and follow the class routine. Special Guest, Sibapado day DPEO Jhenaidah, emphasis on GO- NGO Collaboration for the smooth implementation of the project and assure his cordial assistance in every stage of this project. Special Guest, Manawr Hossain Malla- UNO of Kaligonj, has requested to strengthening monitoring system of Government Officials at School Level. He has also said that some school teachers habituated to take battle leaf (Pan) at school as a result it makes hindered to teach right pronunciation. Mr. Shafiqul Islam, Honorable Deputy Commissioner Jhenaidah, emphasis on the quality of teacher and teaching-learning methodologies for ensuring quality of education, in his speech as a Chief Guest of this Ceremony. He wishes every success of READ and thanks the organizer for this Launching Ceremony. Finally, the Chair person Nasrin Jahan, Additional Deputy Commissioner delivered her speech. She thanks to every one for participating and arranging in this launching ceremony. She said we had learn wrong pronunciation at school because of local language but READ project try to facilitate standard bangle reading in early grade at school. She modestly ask for all government officials to provide their all assistance for achieving the goal of READ Project. Lesson Learnt: Challenge: Goal, Objectives and output Know about recent statistics of Bangla competencies of primary students Clear concept on READ with implementing stages and strategies Clear concept about language skill, diagnostic assessment and instructional Adjustment. Details on Acting Partners of READ. Geographical area of READ Uniqueness of READ project. Clear concept about ICT school activities of READ project. Ensure participants (GOs NGOs) in a platform on time at a time. Work with Government Primary schools.
Monitoring system established through cheek list at school level Keep all participant till to end of the program Need sufficient time to build rapport with movement Official. Recommendation: Arrange learning sharing workshop in every year at district level Involved Education Officials and local administration at every event of READ.